Air Nam staff in crossfire over Adjovi
The non-renewal of Jacqui Dadford’s contract with Air Namibia is reportedly linked to an altercation she had with the founder of the Kora Awards, Ernst Adjovi, now being sought for owing Namibia close to N$30 million.
Dadford has been working at Air Namibia for more than 23 years but got the short end of the stick when the acting managing director of the airline, Mandi Samson, accused her of racism after the run-in with Adjovi.
From an incident report filed to Air Namibia by Dadford, the face-off with Adjovi occurred when he and his Kora entourage checked in for a flight from Johannesburg to Windhoek on 13 January.
According to this report Adjovi had checked in at the business class counter. The rest of his entourage checked in at the economy class counters where they were asked by ground personnel for proof of visa applications.
Two members of the Kora entourage could not prove that they would be issued with visas upon their arrival in Windhoek and Dadford also noticed that one flight booking was incorrect.
It was apparently at this stage that Adjovi walked over to the economy counter where he “became confrontational” with Dadford.
Dadford said she tried to explain what the issue with the visa applications and incorrect ticket was, but Adjovi at that point “completely lost his cool”, started posturing and threatened that he would report her to President Hage Geingob and Samson.
Adjovi apparently also threw his passport at Dadford and kicked his carry-on luggage around.
When Dadford warned him that he could be removed from the counter because he was causing a scene, he reportedly shouted that that was the reason why he “did not like South Africans” because they were disrespectful of “his people”.
Adjovi apparently later demanded that his entire entourage be upgraded to business class, which he said would be authorised by Samson.
About a month later, on 16 February, Samson informed the Johannesburg office that she would be there the next day and wanted a staff meeting.
Dadford said at the start of this meeting Samson warned that she (Dadford) would “now be in the crossfire” and stated that “racial aspects” at the Johannesburg office “would not be tolerated”. She added that she was concerned about this office because of allegations of racial discrimination.
At this meeting Samson reportedly also said that she was “tasked” to remove Dadford from her post and that Dadford should henceforth not have any contact with customers.
She further accused Dadford of favouritism and made a comment about “white management” and what problems that had allegedly caused.
Samson also raised the incident between Dadford and a “very good friend of the president”, Adjovi, and then reportedly stated that President Geingob had tasked her to address the matter and to “take action where required”.
She said Air Namibia’s internal auditors would assess the situation at the Johannesburg office and look into the allegations made by staff.
Dadford said Samson had also stated that she would “Namibianise” the outstations due to “racial incidents”.
Dadford’s contract was reportedly not renewed because she was not considered to be a Namibian. However, Dadford, a white woman, is in fact a born Namibian.
An arbitration process regarding this matter is currently under way.
The acting spokesperson for Air Namibia, Wimpie van Vuuren, said occurrences like the Adjovi incident happened regularly and would not influence the outcome of the investigation into the matter, as the airline dealt with all complaints on an objective basis.
Van Vuuren also said the timing of Samson’s visit to the Johannesburg office was not influenced by the Adjovi incident and that meetings were scheduled for all outstations.
He said the Johannesburg meeting dealt with various issues of concern, including the need to have a good working relationship between all staff at the town office and the station.
Van Vuuren emphasised that Dadford was not branded a racist, nor was she told her contract would not be extended.
According to him, Samson denied that she was tasked to remove Dadford, as management exercised its discretion independent of any external influences on decision-making.
CATHERINE SASMAN
Dadford has been working at Air Namibia for more than 23 years but got the short end of the stick when the acting managing director of the airline, Mandi Samson, accused her of racism after the run-in with Adjovi.
From an incident report filed to Air Namibia by Dadford, the face-off with Adjovi occurred when he and his Kora entourage checked in for a flight from Johannesburg to Windhoek on 13 January.
According to this report Adjovi had checked in at the business class counter. The rest of his entourage checked in at the economy class counters where they were asked by ground personnel for proof of visa applications.
Two members of the Kora entourage could not prove that they would be issued with visas upon their arrival in Windhoek and Dadford also noticed that one flight booking was incorrect.
It was apparently at this stage that Adjovi walked over to the economy counter where he “became confrontational” with Dadford.
Dadford said she tried to explain what the issue with the visa applications and incorrect ticket was, but Adjovi at that point “completely lost his cool”, started posturing and threatened that he would report her to President Hage Geingob and Samson.
Adjovi apparently also threw his passport at Dadford and kicked his carry-on luggage around.
When Dadford warned him that he could be removed from the counter because he was causing a scene, he reportedly shouted that that was the reason why he “did not like South Africans” because they were disrespectful of “his people”.
Adjovi apparently later demanded that his entire entourage be upgraded to business class, which he said would be authorised by Samson.
About a month later, on 16 February, Samson informed the Johannesburg office that she would be there the next day and wanted a staff meeting.
Dadford said at the start of this meeting Samson warned that she (Dadford) would “now be in the crossfire” and stated that “racial aspects” at the Johannesburg office “would not be tolerated”. She added that she was concerned about this office because of allegations of racial discrimination.
At this meeting Samson reportedly also said that she was “tasked” to remove Dadford from her post and that Dadford should henceforth not have any contact with customers.
She further accused Dadford of favouritism and made a comment about “white management” and what problems that had allegedly caused.
Samson also raised the incident between Dadford and a “very good friend of the president”, Adjovi, and then reportedly stated that President Geingob had tasked her to address the matter and to “take action where required”.
She said Air Namibia’s internal auditors would assess the situation at the Johannesburg office and look into the allegations made by staff.
Dadford said Samson had also stated that she would “Namibianise” the outstations due to “racial incidents”.
Dadford’s contract was reportedly not renewed because she was not considered to be a Namibian. However, Dadford, a white woman, is in fact a born Namibian.
An arbitration process regarding this matter is currently under way.
The acting spokesperson for Air Namibia, Wimpie van Vuuren, said occurrences like the Adjovi incident happened regularly and would not influence the outcome of the investigation into the matter, as the airline dealt with all complaints on an objective basis.
Van Vuuren also said the timing of Samson’s visit to the Johannesburg office was not influenced by the Adjovi incident and that meetings were scheduled for all outstations.
He said the Johannesburg meeting dealt with various issues of concern, including the need to have a good working relationship between all staff at the town office and the station.
Van Vuuren emphasised that Dadford was not branded a racist, nor was she told her contract would not be extended.
According to him, Samson denied that she was tasked to remove Dadford, as management exercised its discretion independent of any external influences on decision-making.
CATHERINE SASMAN
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